We recently connected with Ra’Mone Marquis and have shared our conversation below.
Ra’Mone , appreciate you joining us today. One of the toughest parts of scaling a business is maintaining quality as you grow. How have you managed to maintain quality? Any stories or advice?
My quality is based on my authenticity. This includes the way I talk, and the verbiage used. It is in my ability to be vulnerable naturally and not forced. Ensuring that I am sharing my triumphs as well as my traumas, with raw passion…no matter how uncomfortable. My ability to utilize my personality and education effortlessly, allows my supporters to always go on an unpredictable and enjoyable ride. This is very much evident rather you are reading any of my books, blog articles, or listening to my podcast. This is the essence of my brand and who I am. I call it the 3 Es – Educate, Enlighten, Entertain. No matter the increases in readers and listeners; the moment I steer away from this, my quality will lose its validity and relatability. I’ve been told that I am able to make people learn, be moved (and possibly tear up), and laugh within one conversation. This is very rewarding and important to me.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have always been an avid storyteller and one easily able to engage others in conversation. I remember prior to learning how to read; I would look at a picture and create my own story. Even at a young age storytelling and conversations drew interest of my peers and folks beyond. Growing up and having my own life experiences and loving to read books; i realized that my experiences were as good or better than a lot of the ones i would read in books. Thus, in my 20s I wrote my first book, after getting my feet wet with having a blog. I learned at a very young age that my imagination wasn’t just a way for me to cope or distract me from pain and negativity, but to also give me an avenue to connect with and relate to other people. Due to knowing a lot of entrepreneurs, this led me to start my own LLC in 2013 to self-publish my books and to run my blog (The Quis Box). Initially it was called Kace Books, LLC. and in 2021 I changed the name to Tru Phoenix, LLC. So far I have self-published 5 books, 4 of which are amazon bestsellers, and one (A Poetic Exhale) reaching #1 in its category.
After graduating from Florida International University with my first degree, I was home hanging out with one of my cousins. We were having a conversation of the various things to do in our hometown. Things had drastically changed since i was going up, as far as all of the positive outlets that we had. she told me that there was barely anything to do but date and hang out with people and that ends up leading to sex and that’s why so many young people of her generation, had nothing going on but making babies. I was disheartened. I was disappointed in my county. I was concerned for the future of the youth. This led me to start my 501c3 foundation. Initially called True T.A.L.E.N.T.S. Foundation, Inc. it is now called Tru Phoenix Foundation, Inc. I wanted the youth to break negative cycles. I wanted the youth to know that there was so much more for them outside of our little town and outside of sex and street activities. I wanted them to have a positive scapegoat and role model. I needed them to see that someone who looked just like them, that went through a lot of the same things they went through, could rise beyond and really achieve and then some. My foundation does mentoring sessions, a mentoring conference, and various initiatives. I no longer just do work and activities in my hometown of Brevard County, but also all over south Florida and anywhere I am needed.
The thing I’m most proud of, is the book scholarship that I created. It is named after my grandmother/mom Amanda B. Fluellen, and it awards 4 $500 book scholarships, each Fall and Spring semester to freshmen attending a HBCU. Fall ‘2022 was the first semester that we awarded these scholarships, and we will be doing the same for the Spring ‘2023 semester. What sets me apart with my foundation is also what makes me unique with my LLC and everything i do. My 3 Es (educate, enlighten, entertain). I was born and raised in the community i serve. I grew up with a lot of the same hurdles and statistics against me. I was a social worker, working with youth for 10 years. This in addition to being a mirror and not being ashamed of where I come from and what i’ve come through, has made me vastly effective with the youth and a refreshing testimony for many adults.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
With my blog and my podcast, I ensure to have current and relevant topics to discuss. I am always soliciting and including the opinions of my supporters in everything I do. Rather I agree or not. An extension of my blog The Quis Box, is my Facebook group by the same name. Here, I ensure that there is consistently a safe place to vent, share, and just release oneself. I welcome their feedback and suggestions in regard to things I can write about or discuss on my podcast. It acquires their buy in and makes my brand more sustainable and relatable. It’s not just for me, or one group of people…it is for everyone.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Leadership is not just about giving energy. It’s unleashing other people’s energy. Take care of your team and they will take care of your clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ramonemarquisofficial.com
- Instagram: ramonemarquis
- Facebook: Ra’Mone Marquis
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ra-mone-m-fluellen-ms-25087633/
- Twitter: ramonemarquis
- Youtube: Quis Box